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Okay, the [CharDev] tag is a suggestion from the giant thread proposing a separate Character Optimization forum. I'm looking for advice on how to build the mechanics of a character to match a concept.
The concept is a character who has some draconic heritage and gradually discovers that heritage, what it means, etc. Using the Draconic sorcerer bloodline and the Dragon Disciple prestige class, this heritage would most often manifest in combat, with the character growing claws, breathing fire, etc. In short, he would be mainly a melee sorcerer.
The advice I'm looking for is this: How do I make this character (mechanically) survivable? What are some choices I could make (feats, classes, etc) that would keep this character from being a liability to his comrades in arms? I intend to play this character in the Pathfinder Society, so it has to conform to those rules. Since you never know who will be at your table, it can't require any specific support characters. One level of Sorcerer and seven levels of Dragon Disciple are a must, due to the core concept. PFS max level is 12, so that's all the further I'm concerned about for now.
I have been thinking of giving the character 4 levels of barbarian and Toughness to help boost his hit points, but that seems a poor reason to pick a certain class for 1/3 of his career.
Any help would be great, thanks!
Okay, the [CharDev] tag is a suggestion from the giant thread proposing a separate Character Optimization forum. I'm looking for advice on how to build the mechanics of a character to match a concept.
The concept is a character who has some draconic heritage and gradually discovers that heritage, what it means, etc. Using the Draconic sorcerer bloodline and the Dragon Disciple prestige class, this heritage would most often manifest in combat, with the character growing claws, breathing fire, etc. In short, he would be mainly a melee sorcerer.
The advice I'm looking for is this: How do I make this character (mechanically) survivable? What are some choices I could make (feats, classes, etc) that would keep this character from being a liability to his comrades in arms? I intend to play this character in the Pathfinder Society, so it has to conform to those rules. Since you never know who will be at your table, it can't require any specific support characters. One level of Sorcerer and seven levels of Dragon Disciple are a must, due to the core concept. PFS max level is 12, so that's all the further I'm concerned about for now.
I have been thinking of giving the character 4 levels of barbarian and Toughness to help boost his hit points, but that seems a poor reason to pick a certain class for 1/3 of his career.
Any help would be great, thanks!
Having read a good chunk of that forum post already...are you more interested in optimization (sheer mechanics) or roleplaying as well?
I've got an idea, but it would help to know a little more of what your looking for.
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Having read a good chunk of that forum post already...are you more interested in optimization (sheer mechanics) or roleplaying as well?
I've got an idea, but it would help to know a little more of what your looking for.
I'm interested in roleplaying suggestions as well. I was thinking of playing him as a little bit crazy, hearing the voice of "the dragonfather" or something.
Maybe he would talk something like Stephen the Irishman in Braveheart:
[to the sky]
Stephen: Alright, Father, I'll ask him.
[to William]
Stephen: If I risk my neck for you, will I get a chance to kill Englishmen?
Hamish: Is your father a ghost, or do you converse with the Almighty?
Stephen: In order to find his equal, an Irishman is forced to talk to God.
[to the sky]
Stephen: Yes, Father!
[to Hamish]
Stephen: The Almighty says, "Don't change the subject, just answer the ******' question."
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I've been playing something similar in a "War of the Burning Sky" campaign. Maybe more than similar in that I opened as a barbarian and progressed into Sorcerer for one level in order to qualify as a Dragon Disciple.
Character viability in an uncertain party makeup might be an issue. I tend to eat a lot of damage over the course of a mission and without some dedicated heals I would be long dead, so in Organized play you may run the risk of death if your party lacks a willing/capable healer.
That said, Barbarian certainly makes the character build survivable. For me it clarified my party role as primary damage dealer. I've chosen a spell load-out that focuses on buffs, and sometimes find myself holding one side of a battle while the other at the table take on a single opponent. (Which may be why I need so much healing.) That being said, with a friendly party ready to buff you up and set you loose, you may find yourself capable of handling just about anything. The only weakness in the build was in transition from Beta to current rules, you lose the ability to rely on your claws indefinitely, so keep an axe handy (spell storing of course.)
Feat wise, Arcane Strike and Power Attack are a must for this sort of build. I've also gained a decent amount of use from Enlarge combined with Combat Reflexes. Most of this is basic stuff, but if you wanted to hear another viewpoint saying "This build works" then you have it here.
I'll also say that I probably have more fun playing this character than any other at the moment, and my regular gaming group is unusually prolific.
Okay, this is what I would do. I would defiantly use barbarian, and say that instead of actually "raging" your tapping into your draconic nature for a limited time.
Take as many Sorcerer/Barbarian levels as you want, then go into DD.
As for feats, unfortunatly your stuck taking Greater/Arcane Armor Training feats, which really suck, so you can wear your mithral medium, if you get it in society play. There is always bracers of armor, if you can get them.
Arcane strike is your friend, as your natural attacks all help effect each attack.
I definitely agree with the above, barbarian and dragon disciple is a good match. Take 3-4 levels of barbarian and 2 levels of sorcerer (I suggest 2 because the class has BAB difficulties later in it's life and the second level gets +1 BAB and casting). Your claw/ bit attacks are limited to 3+CHA/ day so you will need a good melee weapon also.
There is a Barbara Hambly Book that talks about a veteran fighter who discovers he has arcane powers. It's not draconic but it's a great read and a great perspective on the genre.
I pretty much agree with everything being said already. Sorcerer/Barbarian is great - especially with rage meaning tapping into draconic heritage. Personally, I'm playing a brb1/sor4 in our home game.
As for feats, unfortunatly your stuck taking Greater/Arcane Armor Training feats, which really suck, so you can wear your mithral medium, if you get it in society play.
There are a lot spells that don't suffer ASF (true strike, blur, or any long term buffs like mage armor or darkvision). And arcane spell failure isn't that bad. Sure, you'll lose a few spells from time to time but disciples have already forfeited some spellcasting power to gain melee strength. There are better feats for disciples, as mentioned earlier. Arcane Strike and Dodge probably being the best ones (you get Power Attack for free from ddi2). Also, Improved Natural Armor might be nice. I'm not sure if it's allowed in Society anymore, though.
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I pretty much agree with everything being said already. Sorcerer/Barbarian is great - especially with rage meaning tapping into draconic heritage. Personally, I'm playing a brb1/sor4 in our home game.
As for feats, unfortunatly your stuck taking Greater/Arcane Armor Training feats, which really suck, so you can wear your mithral medium, if you get it in society play.There are a lot spells that don't suffer ASF (true strike, blur, or any long term buffs like mage armor or darkvision). And arcane spell failure isn't that bad. Sure, you'll lose a few spells from time to time but disciples have already forfeited some spellcasting power to gain melee strength. There are better feats for disciples, as mentioned earlier. Arcane Strike and Dodge probably being the best ones (you get Power Attack for free from ddi2). Also, Improved Natural Armor might be nice. I'm not sure if it's allowed in Society anymore, though.
I would recommend you take 5 Lvl. of Sorcerer then go straight to DD. The Barbarian would only slow your spell progression as well as the Bloodline (remember you only have 12 lvls. to go). The DD class in the final version is a prestige class for spellcasters if you want a melee fighter, stay in your Barbarian class
Consider reading Oterisk's Guide to the Dragon Disciple - Google doc. Read. Build PC. Profit.
Ruyan.
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I am playing a very similar character in PFS up to level 9.
Human (Shoanti)
I went Ftr1, Mnk2 (Maneuver Master), Barb2, Sorc1 and DD3.
Started off normal, discovered the "Beast Within" meditating as an aesthetic, unleashed the "Beast" with Barb, and has just further developed its manifestation as the time and classes go by. There is a bigger backstory, but I don't want this to be too long of a post.
My advise so far:
- You are feat starved and spell casting poor. Any spell I cast is for self-buffing or utility. I would rather lose a spell now and then than spend a feat in the Arcane Armor tree.
- Do not worry about you diminished spell-casting. Dragons are not the best spell-casting monsters out there - they do tons of physical damage augmented by magic. You will do the same.
- I loaded Strength from the start, and the Barbarian and DD has made the character tremendous at combat maneuvers. The Maneuver Master has only heightened this. It also makes up for missing some BAB.
- Honestly, I use to two-hand attack all the time, but was outclassing the parties in PFS, so I switched to 1-handing with natural weapons as secondary. More thematic and fun. I actually do not even rage much anymore - I reserve the "Beast" only for times of dire needs.
- You are an obvious front liner, and will soak up damage. CON adjusting items will help, but I have burned through three Wands of CLW, luckily, these can be "purchased" for 2 PA.
- The character is very resilient. Lots of HP, very high fort and high will saves, evasion, uncanny dodge. Seems very draconic.
Must Have Feats: Raging Vitality, Power Attack, Extra Rage (only need it once to get to about 10-13 rounds per day ... most fights don't last that long), Grab toughness as one of the DD bonus feats. Going to take blind fighting as the second.
Nice to Have Feats: Arcane Strike (when CL is up), Combat Maneuvers (I like Grapple, Trip & Bull Rush - I have Bull Rushed multiple foes due to a high CMB). I am thinking about taking the Abyssal Eldritch Heritage chain for the STR benefit.
I am putting off Arcane Strike until my caster level is high enough to get the +2 bonus.